Rove Charging Station: Is This the Gold Standard for EV Infrastructure?
If you’ve been following the channel for a while, you know I spend a lot of time in my Rivian R1T and my Model Y, hitting trails and testing out the latest in EV tech. But today, we’re stepping out of the dirt and into Santa Ana, Orange County, to check out the media event and ribbon cutting for the Rove charging station.
I’ve been to plenty of chargers—usually tucked away in dark corners of parking garages or behind dusty malls. Rove is trying to change that narrative completely. After spending a few days here checking out the amenities, the tech, and the community, I think we might finally be looking at the future of EV charging.
The Hardware: Tesla V4 Superchargers and Beyond
The first thing that caught my eye was the sheer variety of hardware. Rove isn’t just picking one side of the “charging war.” They’ve got 28 Tesla V4 Superchargers and a fleet of Rove-branded CCS chargers (with CHAdeMO support too).
As a Rivian owner, the V4 Superchargers are a game-changer [00:42]. One of the biggest headaches we have at older V3 stations is the cable length; we often have to take up two spots just to reach the port. Not here. I pulled my R1T in, and the V4 cable reached with zero issues. I didn’t have to block anyone, and that alone makes this station a win in my book.
While the Rivian tops out around 220 kW, these chargers are capable of up to 350 kW [01:18]. Whether you’re in a Lucid, a Porsche Taycan, or a Cybertruck, you’re getting the max speed your battery can handle.
More Than Just a Charging Plug: The Amenities
Let’s be honest: sitting in your car for 20–30 minutes while it charges can be a drag. Rove solved this by building a full-blown ecosystem around the chargers.
- Recharge by Gelson’s: This isn’t your average gas station mart. It’s a Fresh Market stocked with high-end groceries, sushi, and “grab-and-go” meals [06:28]. I actually tried the sushi and a roast beef sandwich—both were solid.
- The Lounge: If you need to get some work done, they have a lounge area with fast Wi-Fi and plenty of USB/power outlets [06:49]. You can set up your laptop and be productive instead of doom-scrolling on your phone.
- Eco-Friendly Design: The entire station is covered by a massive solar panel roof [03:02], providing shade for the cars and clean energy for the grid.
- Security: This is a big one for me and the community. Rove has 24/7 security on-site between 8 PM and 6 AM [04:44]. It’s well-lit and feels safe, which is a massive contrast to some of the sketchy chargers I’ve visited in the past.
The Car Wash and Maintenance
My truck was looking a little “off-road filthy,” so I was stoked to see they have a car wash on-site. They offer both brushless and touchless options [07:32]. What’s really cool is the floor design—they use a yellow guide rail system that prevents curb rash on those expensive Tesla or Rivian wheels [08:09].
After the wash, they provide complimentary vacuums and air hoses [08:53]. It’s the little details like this that make you realize this place was designed by EV enthusiasts for EV owners.
Tech Specs & Pricing
| Feature | Details |
| Charger Types | Tesla V4 Superchargers, CCS, CHAdeMO |
| Max Speed | Up to 350 kW |
| Tesla V4 Rate | Approx. $0.38 – $0.48 per kWh (Variable) |
| CCS Rate | Approx. $0.58 per kWh |
| Amenities | Gelson’s Market, Lounge, Wi-Fi, 24/7 Security |
| Location | Santa Ana, CA (Expanding to Torrance, Costa Mesa, Corona) |
Rove is doing what I’ve been saying needs to happen for years: treating the charging experience like a premium service rather than an afterthought. Between the V4 cables actually reaching my Rivian and the ability to grab a fresh meal while I wait, this is easily one of the best charging experiences I’ve had in SoCal.
They’re planning to expand to Torrance, Costa Mesa, and Corona soon [03:12], and I can’t wait to see more of these pop up.
